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Fun Facts about Ferrets
Ferret

Ferret

mustela putorius furo
  • All ferrets are born without fur, but as it comes in, it is white. Baby ferrets develop their color at about three weeks of age.
  • Ferrets are very intelligent and can easily be taught to roll over and fetch, just like dogs!
  • The scientific name for ferrets is "mustela putorius furo," which translates to "stinky little thief."
  • Ferrets are born deaf, with their eyes closed. When they are about 34 days old their eyes begin to open and they begin to hear.
  • At around 14 days of age a ferret's baby teeth begin to emerge.
  • At around 45 to 50 days of age the baby ferret's adult teeth begin to emerge.
  • Ferrets can easily be "potty"- or litter box-trained.
  • A female ferret is called a jill and a male ferret is called a hob.
  • Baby ferrets are called kits.
  • Although it is often assumed that ferrets are rodents, they are actually membersof the weasel family.
  • On average, ferrets sleep approximately 18 hours per day.
  • A group of ferrets is called a "business of ferrets."
  • A ferret's heart beats about 2.5 times faster than a human's heart,at around 200 to 250 beats.
  • The average human's core body temperature is 98.6°F. The average ferret's core body temperature is from 100 to 103°F.